FashioNation

MASTER OF THE MINIMAL

A Conversation with Designer FRANK TROPIANO

By Eden Herbstman

Fall 2013

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Since his design debut in 2011, Frank Tropiano has stayed consistent to his aesthetic for sophisticated simplicity, focusing on form and movement rather then color in his collections. Even though Tropiano sticks to a muted color palette, his chic and sophisticated eye for design translates despite a diverse set of colors. Being based in New York City allows him to embrace each moment in his surroundings, and nothing is too minimal or off limits for inspiration. Tropiano’s architectural execution and attention to detail is what shines through, where he is able to find the balance between a complexity in his construction while celebrating the minimalist aesthetic.

Frank Tropiano: I really love the volume of the 1950′s, and I always think I start with that in mind. I try to whittle the clothing down to its essence. For this collection I wanted to focus on a minimalist approach, but still constructed. I also wanted to play with the idea of lightness and volume. I wanted the clothes to almost float around the body.

EH: Was there anything you did differently in this collection compared to past collections?

FT: I don’t think there was anything different…to me it is more about progression. It’s important to keep moving the collection in regards to ideas.

EH: What do you want your brand to represent?

FT: The strength of the woman wearing the clothes, and her ideals of confidence.

EH: When do you feel the most creative?

FT: When I’m observing the “everyday.” To be honest the “everyday” is where I draw most of my inspiration from. It’s important to be observant. Living and working in NYC provides you with so much more material to draw upon. I am lucky to live in a city that has a wonderful and masterful art scene that really provides endless ideas. But there is also the mundane, like an interaction between two people on the street or in the subway. You start to create stories in your mind that fuel the collection. I think my enjoyment of being an observer,of looking from the outside in, helps me design.

EH: When not working, what can we find you doing?

FT: With family and friends.

EH: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

FT: Hopefully doing what I am doing today. Just not cutting patterns on my kitchen table!